Pharmacology Poll!

So, for my pharmacology class, I will be doing a project on a medication. It can be any medication I want, but I need ideas! If you or someone you know is taking any medications or drugs, or you have heard of a medication and you want to know more detailed information about it, let me know and I'll use it for my project topic! The project would be more interesting for me if I could relate it to someone in my life, and then I'll be more informed and then I can inform you as well! :) Thanks!

The Past Couple of Weekends

Has it really been two weeks since I wrote last?! Wow, time sure flies! It seems as if so much has happened, but really, not many interesting things. Maybe it's just that I'm in class most of the time and I've learned so much that I think a lot is going on, when really, what's going on is all in my head. And, as I don't want to bore you with the details of what I'm learning, I'll give you a overview of what's been going on. We have begun our clinical experiences, in which we go to an acute care setting once every other week for half a day. I am at Massachusetts General Hospital and my clinical instructor, Kate, (the PT I follow, learn from, and am with) is so great! I'm really excited to learn from her and to see how she treats patients and to be able to not only see what it's like to work with patients, but be able to get a taste of working with real patients myself, of course with Kate's supervision. On the off weeks, we have a session at school with one of our professors doing different things that we'll be seeing in the hospital. It's like a practice run/preview of what's to come, which has been helpful to me in the past few weeks to know what to expect more and feel more confident in what we're doing. That's probably the most interesting class to talk about right now, but I am learning other things that are good and interesting as well. :) Other than that though, it's the T rides to school and the walk from North Station (where we get off the T) to school and then the walk and T ride home. On the T, I have been reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom and what a fantastic book it is! If you don't know, it is about Corrie's life and how God was faithful to her and her family during the Holocaust. They hid Jews in their home and eventually were caught and taken to a concentration camp. Her life and what she went through is heart-wrenching, but to see God's faithfulness through it all is incredible. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, spent the longest time in the concentration camp and to see how the Lord provided for them throughout their time, in the midst of evil and torture is so amazing. I'm not quite done with it, but it is such a God-glorifying and encouraging book, seeing the Lord work in such a tumultuous time and I definitely recommend it if you have not read it. Back to...the walk! It is so nice and when we get out of school in the evening, the sunsets are gorgeous! Here's a few pictures I took one night on our way to North Station:

Boston at dusk with sailboats in the foreground

The Zakim Bridge at sunset

The Zakim Bridge with cars

This is one from a morning walk; Bunker Hill Monument

Let me see...other than school. Last weekend, one of our classmates so graciously lent Hannah, Shirin, and I her car so we could make one more trip to Ikea. What we wanted to take half the day ended up taking the whole day, but it was filled with fun! We got to Ikea and got a coffee table, side table, television stand, and a few other odds and ends. So, our living room is complete now!!! It's rather exciting to see things come together and have our space usable and functional. I also got some picture frames from Ikea, which I'm really excited about. I ordered some prints last week and they should be here hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday. Yay!!! I'm really excited to put the pictures in the frames and then hang them up on my walls. I just hope it looks as good as I am imaging it to be. :) After Ikea, we made a stop at Target for three things. I got a microwave, Hannah got a space heater, and Shirin got a dust buster. Haha...Target drew us in and we came out with just a few more things. They were things we needed, but didn't exactly go to Target to get them. But, that's okay. It was a very enjoyable day and great to spend time with the girls. :)

This weekend, I finally did laundry and really excited to have clean clothes! Sometimes, when I wait quite a long time to do laundry, I forget about some of the clothes I have because they've been sitting at the bottom of the hamper for quite a while. So, now, I have more clothes to choose from and it's wonderful. I studied a bit yesterday and then cleaned the stove last night. What a chore that was! the stove itself has probably been cleaned semi-recently, but the pans underneath the (electric) burners were disgusting and probably hadn't been cleaned in a very, very long time. So, that took a while, but we now have a clean stove and it makes me happy when I look at it. (haha...I haven't cooked on it yet, but I'll be extra happy when I actually use it.) This afternoon, I continued my cleaning and cleaned my blinds. They were gross as well and probably haven't been cleaned in at least two, probably five, years. Thankfully, one of my blinds needed replacing, so I only had to clean one and then I took down the other disgusting one and put up the brand-new, nice, and clean blinds. Thanks mom for making us clean the blinds when we were growing up! Have you started your teaching kids how to clean business yet? :) I think I might have issues when I clean because once I start, I can't stop! I just continue to inspect more closely and then see more and more things that are dirty and what was going to be just cleaning the top of the stove (the pans and such) turned into wiping the walls down, cleaning the dials for the stove and underneath them, wiping the outside of the oven, cleaning the counters, and it almost turned into cleaning the outside of the refrigerator, the inside of the oven, the heater strip in the kitchen, more kitchen walls. I just kept eyeing dirt everywhere! Once I start, I can't stop (as long as I'm in the cleaning mood)...isn't that a commercial jingle for something? Pringles maybe? Once you pop, you can't stop? I don't know. :)

How could I almost forget! Friday night was a lot of fun too. I went out with a few classmates, which was really enjoyable and then went to my friend's housewarming party. This friend is a friend from high school and we haven't seen or talked to each other since, but now we are both living here in Boston. Crazy, huh?! It's about a twenty minute T ride to her place, which is so cute! It was great to see her and catch up/reconnect a bit and I anticipate seeing more of her as time goes on. Kinda fun! Then, as I was on my way home, from the house warming party, I was on the T and sat next to some girl, or so I thought it was some girl. After a few minutes, she turns to me and says questioningly, "Janelle?!" I turned and looked at here and in disbelief saw Christina Stellini sitting next to me on the T at 11:30 at night in Boston. For those of you who don't know, Christina's dad was my high school basketball coach and she was an assistant coach my senior year as well. Ha! She was out here for four or five days visiting her boyfriend and job hunting. That was a crazy and unbelievable moment! Oh, right, and her boyfriend lives maybe two or two and a half blocks away from me! So, we got off at the same stop. What a surprise that T ride was; and a fun surprise it was!

I had the chance to talk to my mom, sister, Stephen, Grandma, and Grandpa this weekend, which gave me some good family time! And, only twelve more days until Cari is here to visit!!! I am so excited for that weekend, but first, I must get through the week ahead of me. I have one exam on Tuesday and a practical on Thursday. But, I don't have anything on Wednesday, which will be such a rare treat!!! :) It will be a good day to get quite a bit done!

Recent Weather and More

So, I wanted to make mention of what the weather has been like recently. I have been sure to make note of how much it has rained over the summer months, but now it has been so nice and beautiful for the past couple weeks. It hasn't rained since I've been back after summer. Well, maybe it rained once or twice right when I got back, but I don't remember. Although it hasn't been super hot, like I've heard it's been in California, and I've been wearing jeans most days, I am thoroughly enjoying the sunny weather. And, with that said....I believe it's supposed to rain tomorrow and this weekend. There is a storm that's supposed to be coming through soon, but we shall see.

One of my roommate's friends came and visited last weekend, which was pretty fun! Hannah and her friend walked around and did some sight seeing and Sunday we tried to go on the Duck Tour, but it was sold out. Once again, my attempt to go on a Duck Tour failed. So, instead we went to the top of the Prudential Center to go on the AirWalk tour. What an incredible view of the city! Oh my goodness...you could see everything and there was a little audio piece that would tell us what we were looking at through each window. It was a beautiful day and we saw all kinds of things. Different areas of Boston, the ocean and the islands, Fenway Park from above, and so much more! I also learned little tidbits about the city from the narrating man, who made a few comments about the Boston-New York rivalry. I new, obviously, it existed, but it's pretty intense. What a gorgeous view and so worth the $12 I paid to go to the top of the building. I'm excited to go back again in the fall when the trees change colors...it will be even more incredible. Cari...get ready, that is a trip we must take. And, hopefully the trees will be all different colors at that time too!

Today, in class, we learned and practiced a few different massage techniques, which are pretty incredible. It's quite fun to go to class and massage each other for an hour or more. And, there is so much to discover under the skin; it's rather exciting. Today was practicing our Swedish massage techniques that we probably won't be using a lot, but it's kinda fun to know and it gives us practice to feel everything under the skin as well.

Our furniture came today!!! I am very excited about my new desk, except that it's humungous! It is so large and takes up so much room, but it does give me a nice large area to spread out for studying purposes, which will be great for me. My dresser also came today. However, the directions to put it all together seem to be missing. Therefore, I was unable to assemble it tonight because I don't know what to do at all. I know what it's supposed to look like at the end, but without the step-by-step guide, I don't think I can make it look like the pictures I have seen. Fortunately, I was talking with one of my classmates today and it turns out that she got the same dresser as I did and she assembled it the other night. So, she's bringing me her directions tomorrow, meaning I'll have a dresser tomorrow night and I can get everything situated! I am so excited and then, I will be delving into my books this weekend. Such an exciting few days ahead of me. The rain will make it easier to study for sure. So, I'm kind of hoping it does rain this weekend. Oh yes...more furniture. Our couches came as well, so we have seating in our living room, which is so great. So much more comfortable than the hardwood floor and the rug we got is so soft! We are almost done with furniture. We need a small coffee table of some sort and a television stand and some more shelving or storage of some sort for the kitchen. Oh yeah, and a dining table and maybe some chairs to go with that. Other than that, I think we're pretty much all set to go!

Alright...that is all for now and it's off to bed I go...after moving all the pieces of my dresser off my bed. So sad...silly missing directions.

Random Recent Events

WARNING: This post is quite the random post. I just wrote as it came and I suppose there was no organization in my mind at all. It may be because my room is unorganized and I had a rough/unorganized first week of school. You have been warned, but I hope you are still able to enjoy my unorganized ramblings!

To start with...just in case you didn't know, today is 9-9-09...barely since the day is almost over, but I made it! I started school again last week and with the beginning of school came many other beginnings as well. I moved to another apartment, but for some reason people in Boston who rent apartments begin the lease on September 1 and the lease ends August 31...every year. No overlaps or different dates or anything. And, our school has orientation on September 1. One may think that if half the city is moving on September 1, maybe orientation could be on the second because it's most likely that students will be moving as well. But, no, that was not the case. Therefore, we all went to orientation and had a school-wide BBQ and all, which was actually quite tasty and then instead of going on the Duck Tour that the school would have paid for, I went to the U-haul place to pick up a truck to move all my stuff across town. Yes, the U-haul was essential and I was so thankful that there was one available when I called just a few days before we needed it. Brian, one of my classmates and roommates, drove the truck around town. First, to my old apartment where we loaded up all of Shirin and my belongings as well as Hannah's and some of Brian's since they stayed with us for the last week or so because they had no place to go. Then, Brian and Neil went to pick up Neil's belongings and then went to another classmate's apartment to pick up the remainder of Brian and Danielle's belongings. While all that went on, Hannah, Shirin, and I came to the apartment. We all met at our new place and the unloading began. After just a short while and quite a few trips from the truck to the apartment, we were done! Living on the first floor makes moving so much easier and quicker; it was wonderful! Then, we had pizza for dinner and chose rooms and started taking our bags to our new rooms. Brian and I went to return the truck late that night since we didn't want to have to take care of it in the morning before school and after getting lost maybe two or three times, we found the U-haul place and successfully dropped the truck off, thankfully. It was a late night and a busy day, but we moved! Then, it was to the air mattress for a few days until my bed came on Saturday, which has been wonderful. Such a comfortable bed and it makes me happy to sleep. :) It's a bit high, but that just adds to its loveliness. I have been unpacking and trying to get organized in my room all week while also trying to figure out my school schedule as well and stay tuned in on my classes so I know what is going on. I do my best and am SO looking forward to my desk and dresser that I purchased at Ikea last weekend. They come tomorrow and I can't wait to build them! I got a bookshelf and a chair yesterday and built them last night. The bookshelf is great and I was able to at least get my books in order so I can see them and know what books I have. Needless to say, this last week has consisted of multiple trips to Bed Bath and Beyond, Staples, and especially the hardware store (I think of my dad often!). Oh, yes...my shelf (from the hardware store) that I put on the floor of my closet for my shoes works wonders. It has taken some time and patience, but my room is beginning to come together and is almost at the functional level I have been hoping for. We also purchased couches and maybe a few other things for the living room at Ikea, so we will soon have a more livable living room, and apartment in general, after it all comes!

The first week of school has not been too intense, which has been good for the move-in and having to shop for furniture and other helpful organizational items. Alright...enough about the apartment for now. I went on a jog today and ended up at a small little body of water called the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. I was there at about sunset and it was gorgeous. So peaceful and a nice little jog/walk around the water was a really good way to begin my evening. There were so many people out running or walking around the reservoir and it was a nice get away. Plus, I was exercising more than just the normal walking around I do daily, which was a first in who knows how long. Then, I came home and made some dinner, which was sufficient and then studied a tiny bit of medical terminology in preparation for my test on Friday.

While I was at home over summer, I got my hair cut. Maybe you know this, maybe you don't, but I had Sharon (hair person) cut eleven inches off. Well, I think she cut off ten to begin with in order to donate my hair, which I wasn't able to mail in before I left, so I believe my hair is in a plastic bag on my desk at home still. Then, Sharon cut off some more to style and do whatever else with my hair. She was really excited about it because she loves the cut and had given it to her daughter the previous evening. I definitely had to take some time to get used to the bangs and the shortness of it, but after a week or two, it has finally grown on me and I like my haircut. But, I must say I like it best after I blow dry it, but that doesn't happen too often. (I have actually only blow dried my hair once since I got it cut, but it was my favorite day of my haircut!)

I received a phone call the other day...Monday, to be exact. And on the other end of the phone was my sister with some very exciting news that pretty much made my month! Can you guess what it is?!?! She's coming to visit me!!!!!! October 9 through the 14. Friday through Wednesday with Cari! I am so excited and can't wait! Amongst other activities, I was thinking I would take her on a Duck Tour and then I can experience it with her, since I missed out last week. And, after she made plans and bought the ticket and everything, I took a look at my calendar and decided that the weekend she is coming is probably the best one for her to come. Not only do I think the weather will be a real fall with leaves changing colors and all (at least I hope it's like that) but more so, I don't have class that Friday afternoon, nor Monday (due to Columbus Day), nor Wednesday morning. :) Worst case would have been Friday class until 4, school Monday and Tuesday, and class Wednesday morning at 10. Then, I would have only really gotten to spend Saturday and Sunday with her (plus the other evenings). But, it's the best case that will occur, which makes me even more excited because that means we can do more and spend more time together!!! Oh the plans I am thinking of! :)

I'm sure there is more to say, but as this is already just bits and pieces of my mind as I think of things, I'm not sure what else there is to write about at this moment. And, with that, I am going to go to bed so I can wake up and do a cross fit workout with a few of my roommates in the morning. We don't have class until noon, so we are going to try this crazy work out my roommate has. We'll see how it goes in the morning!

Vacation is Over

Vacation, vacation, vacation. It was so nice to be on vacation. And, apparently, when I go on vacation from school, I go on vacation from everything! Well, maybe not everything, but at least blogging. Being at home and in California was really nice. Family time, boating, friends, wedding, more friends, birthday, eating food I didn't have to prepare or pay for...thanks mom and dad!!! :) I got home on my dad's BIRTHDAY and my grandparents came over that night for a birthday dinner, which was delicious and they brought slides from back in the day while my dad was growing up, which was fun to see! We saw pictures of him as a wee little one and the different homes they lived in and the one they built in the different stages of building. It was fun for me and Stephen, and my mom, to learn a bit about my dad's younger years and fun for my grandparents, and probably my dad too, to reminisce a bit. After some time down memory lane, or learning lane, some family friends came over and semi-surprised my dad for birthday dessert. I'm not sure if he was surprised at all...I think he may have known, or at least suspected, people were coming. And, then there was dessert...home-made ice cream without, what was it mom? sugar? Yes...I believe it was sugarless home-made ice cream. Not as yummy as I was anticipating and then I left without a second batch of ice cream being made. Maybe in December. Home-made ice cream for Christmas?! Maybe we can put red food coloring in it and have red vanilla ice cream.

The next day was my roommate's WEDDING!!! Katie and Doster were married in the Heather Farm Rose garden and it was gorgeous! It was a warm evening, but everybody and the setting was incredible. It was so good to see my roommates and have some crazy roommate wedding fun! But then, the night came to an end too quickly and they all had to go back to San Luis. So fun, but way too short. Oh yes...I caught the bouquet at the wedding reception too. Hmmm....I wonder.

A couple days of relaxing, soaking up the sun and warm weather....it was pretty great and felt like what summer is supposed to be. Then, a couple days later, it was off to Angel's Camp! My family and a few friends have gone a few times and all I've experienced of these summer trips are the stories they come back with. I've been in summer school when they have gone before, but not this time! It was so fun to be with everyone and experience the Angel's Camp trip. Twelve families, plus Cari came!!! It was a crowd of people, but a great crowd! Boating, SUN, water, warm weather, friends, family, sun, it was such a great and relaxing weekend. And, it was so nice to be able to go on vacation without homework. It is so much more relaxing than when I have homework to think about.

We came back from Angel's Camp on Sunday, and then Stephen packed up all his belongings and on Tuesday, it was off to Chico! We went up and helped him move into his apartment and to see where he's living this year and all that jazz. It was a great couple, last days with Stephen and my parents before leaving him for his second year of college. Then, it was off to home, once again, to spend one final week in Clayton before returning to Boston. The end of the week consisted of one wonderful afternoon with Julie shopping at Target and Barnes and Noble and spending time with each other, catching up and an exciting afternoon with Jessica baking fancy rose-colored and -flavored fancy cupcakes with edible flowers and raspberries on top. Except...the edible flowers weren't really edible, but we ate them anyway. We're still alive! I suppose they were just sugar-coasted rose petals. Jessica and I enjoyed them, but I can't say the same for my parents. Hmmm....oh well; they were pretty! After eating a scrumptious hamburger at Fuddrucker's, we parted ways and I went home.

Oh yes...that week, Uncle Tom, Aunt Stephanie, and cousin Amy stayed with us, which was great fun! Fun for them to be around, especially since I would have been the only child around if they weren't there. :) I love my parents, but I also love the hustle and bustle of a household full of people! They cleaned Amy's new house and moved her all in that week and left Monday. Then, it was just my parents and me for the final two days before I flew across the country. We packed a lunch and went to watch and listen to a friend, Kevin Toqe, play outside for a bit, which was really enjoyable. After the lunch and outdoor, sunny concert, we saw Julie and Julia, which was alright. It was cute, but not my favorite movie. I'd say it's a rental. :) I was able to see my grandparents one more time before I left too, which was a really special time to talk and see their fun, meaningful items in their home that they have had for many, many years and hearing the stories as to how these items were obtained. So interesting!

Then, I had to pack all my belongings up and head to the airport Wednesday, the 26th of August. Definitely a ton easier leaving this time, but it was hard to leave the warm sunshine. Okay, I suppose it might have been sad to leave my parents too. Well, now I'm back in Boston and for the last week, I have been able to hang out a bit, but have spent quite the time packing up and moving and starting school and buying a bed and who knows what else. It's been interesting, yet fun. And although I'm not totally ready to begin this fall semester, I am looking forward to the semester and all that we will be learning. It will be difficult, but the New England fall weather is what I am looking forward to most during the next couple months!!! :)